Crooked Creek is an urban stream that originates in southern Hamilton County, flows southerly through Pike and Washington townships in Marion County, and discharges into the White River through Lake Sullivan, a lake dredged from a large wetland complex in northwest Center Township in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Crooked Creek drains a watershed of approximately 20 square miles that includes well established residential areas, highly intensive commercial uses, both light and heavy industry, and land in agricultural use, most of which is expected to be developed in the coming years. Crooked Creek itself is degraded and suffers from a variety of problems, including urban nonpoint source pollution and stream bank erosion. The Crooked Creek corridor is one of the 14 proposed greenways in Marion County. The Lake Sullivan marsh complex is a 6.5 acre area in an existing park that includes the Major Taylor Velodrome and other facilities for intensive recreational use. As part of the Greenways Plan, INDY Parks intends to restore the wetlands at Lake Sullivan and to develop an outdoor educational center at the site. In conjunction with INDY Parks, faculty from the schools of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA), Science (SOS), Liberal Arts (SLA), and Education (SOC) at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) will establish a research and education field station at the Lake Sullivan wetlands complex. The Station will serve as a site for long-term multi- and interdisciplinary research, evaluation of management alternatives within the Crooked Creek watershed, field studies and experiential learning by university, high school, junior high, and grade school classes, and continuing education for teachers, professionals, and others. This urban forestry project will provide continuing education for teachers, professionals, and others. In addition, this project will provide information critical to other Station activities and will help to establish the Station as an educational resource.
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